The show started out with a bang, but a good number of people have dropped off along the way. "SHIELD's" meandering pace this season likely is part of the reason, but as the series heads towards its midseason, our vote is that people should keep watching.

So whether you're new to the show, lost interest at some point or need validation as to why you tune in week after week, here are Zap2it's list of reasons of why you should be watching "Agents of SHIELD."

1. It is getting better. Not every episode of "Agents of SHIELD" is better than its last, as is the problem with most TV shows. But these latest episodes -- particularly "FZZT" -- are definitely an improvement from the early ones. Part of that is the show finding itself and not having to worry about developing its characters (though it definitely has some room to go on people like Skye, Ward and May), and part of it is just the fact that the quality of the show is improving.

2. The characters are getting richer. Speaking of which, the characters actually are getting better than their cookie cutter starting points. Some might complain about Skye being a blank, underdeveloped slate through which the audience can view the world of SHIELD, but come on, she is more than that. The Fitz and Simmons relationship is becoming deeper and more wonderful with every episode, and the bromance between Fitz and Ward is great. The development of the characters isn't as complete as it could be, but it's getting there. It's the little moments like Skye and Ward playing Battleship together and actually seeming like good friends that keep us invested.

3. Whedon shows always take a while to find themselves. This isn't a traditional Joss Whedon show, but "Agents of SHIELD" showrunners Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen are still keeping the Whedon spirit alive while Joss is off acting as Marvel's consultant on this greater movie/TV universe. With that being said, no Whedon show has started off perfect. They all take a while to find themselves, and that's exactly what "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" is doing now. Have some patience, and it's almost guaranteed it will be rewarded.

4. It's creating its own mythology. If there's one thing Whedon shows have been good at, it's crafting a great world for the characters to live in. "Agents of SHIELD" might not have the free reign projects like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Firefly" and "Dollhouse" did at creating its own unique universe, but look how well "Angel" did of taking a world viewers thought they knew well and turning it into something fresh and new. Slowly but steadily "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" is being able to stand on its own two legs in the MCU, and it's a journey that is worth traveling on for viewers. We can feel that the Centipede stuff is not far from getting real weird and interesting.

5. It has a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the "Thor: The Dark World" crossover episode was a little bit of a letdown, "Agents of SHIELD" is worth continuing to watch if only for its place in the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is interesting to see the affects Marvel's greatest superheroes have on the normal people around them, whether it's making them want to be super as well or unintentionally causing them to be trapped between dimensions. Add that to the fact some MCU characters like Nick Fury and Maria Hill have been popping up, and it is a really fun aspect of the show that should keep even a casual fan invested.

"Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" airs Tuesdays on ABC at 8 p.m. Are you going to keep watching?